Police accuse man of multiple sex crimes involving teenage girls

Following an investigation by the Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit, with assistance from the Southern Alberta Integrated Child Exploitation Team, a 24-year-old man has been charged with multiple sex offences, luring and child pornography. He is alleged to have met several underage female victims online and then sexually exploited them.

In January 2024, police received reports that a teenage girl had met an unknown man online and, after agreeing to meet him in person, was sexually exploited and assaulted. When the two met, they spent time in the man’s vehicle, where he offered the victim alcohol in exchange for sexual acts.

The victim then reported the incident to her mother, who then called the police.

During the investigation, five more victims, ranging in age from 12 to 16, were identified after they reported similar incidents to police. In each case, the suspect was unknown to the victims, but befriended them through apps such as Instagram and Snapchat before arranging to meet. Again, the suspect offered the victims items such as alcohol and marijuana in exchange for sexual acts.

As a result, Hammad SHAIKH, 24, of Calgary has been charged with:

· Five charges of sexual abuse

· Sexual assault during strangulation

· Four counts of sexual interference

· Five charges of sexual exploitation

· Four counts of locks

· Two counts of possession of child pornography

· Making child pornography

· Two counts of accessing child pornography

He will appear in court on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

The victims receive support from the LUNA Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.

The Calgary Police Service encourages parents, caregivers and guardians to discuss online safety tips with their children:

· Be aware of who you are interacting with. Strangers online may not be honest about their identity.

· Never post or trade digital photos of yourself.

· Never give out personal information such as your address, phone number or school.

· Never agree to meet in person with someone you have had contact with online.

· Tell your parents if you feel uncomfortable or if you receive threatening emails, messages or texts.

Anyone with information regarding this or similar incidents is asked to call the police non-emergency hotline at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers using one of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

CA24020618/3444